Comparison of micro- and macrovascular endothelial cells (brec and baec) in [beta]-adrenergic regulation of transendothelial permeability. Zink, Sigrid, Peter R[diaeresis]osen, and Horst Lemoine. R[diaeresis]osen, P. und S. Zink Diabetes-Forschungsinstitut, D[umlaut]usseldorf, Germany, Lemoine, H., Institut f[umlaut]ur Lasermedizin, Heinrich-Heine-Universit[umlaut]at D[umlaut]usseldorf, D[umlaut]usseldorf, Germany
APStracts 2:0214C, 1995.
Barrier function of EC was modulated using [beta]-adrenergic agonists e.g. isoproterenol (ISO) and formoterol (FOR). To get a direct comparison between EC from different vascular sources, we isolated cells from aorta (BAEC) and retina (BREC) of the same calf. For permeability studies, EC were cultured on polycarbonate filters. At confluency, transendothelial exchange (TEE) of the diffusion marker FITC-dextran was determined. Microvascular, retinal EC monolayers are half as permeable as monolayers from macrovascular BAEC. Stimulated with [beta]AR-agonists, monolayer-permeability decreases and the amount of intracellular cAMP increases in both cell-types. Comparison of the half-maximum reactions (pEC50) shows direct coupling between [beta]AR and AC: The [beta]2-selective agonist FOR stimulates cAMP synthesis in BAEC with pEC50=9.37 and decreases permeability with pEC50=9.72. In BREC the pEC50's of ISO concerning stimulation of cAMP synthesis and the decrease of permeability are also very similar: 5.32 and 5.34. BREC are not as sensitive to [beta]2-agonists as BAEC. The pEC50 of FOR-influence on BREC permeability is 8.77 in comparison to 9.72 for BAEC. These results could be interpreted with different affinities of the [beta]2-selective AR in BREC and BAEC.

Received 3 January 1995; accepted in final form 3 May 1995.
APS Manuscript Number C2-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 30 May 1995.